Never Forsaken – Learning to trust God in our financial need

Have you ever heard the scripture that God will never leave you nor forsake you? It’s an often-quoted verse. I quote this verse from the New Testament (Hebrews 13:15), but the writer of Hebrews was most like quoting an Old Testament verse. Here are three possible references from the Old Testament:

In Deuteronomy 31:6, Moses prepared the children of Israel–who were about to cross the Jordan into the Promised Land–by saying: “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid of them! The LORD your God will go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you.”

Then, in Joshua 1:5, God spoke directly to Joshua as he was about to enter the Promised Land: “No one will be able to stand their ground against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.”

Finally, right before King David was about to hand over the kingdom to his son, Solomon, David said to him, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged by the size of the task, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you” (1Chronicles 28:20).

Yet, the context of Hebrews 13:5 is not about a Promised Land, about powerful enemies to be defeated or about taking over a kingdom. The context of Hebrews 13:5 is about money and possessions. Let me quote the entire verse for you: “Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never forsake you.'”

I share this scripture and its context with you because I know how stressful, anxiety-provoking and fearful the issue of finances can be. Even today, when debt is at an all time high, I know there are many of you out there struggling financially. Maybe you are jobless. Maybe you’ve taken a pay cut. Maybe there’s a huge influx of overwhelming bills. You lie awake at nights wondering how you will make it through tomorrow.

Listen carefully to what God says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” These aren’t just encouraging words–it’s a promise from God, your Father, your Creator, your Provider. He will never leave you. He will never forsake you. In Jesus, you are never alone!

“Don’t worry about everyday life–whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn’t life consist of more than food and clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are. Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not. And why worry about your clothes? Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t he more surely care for you? You have so little faith! So don’t worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today” (words of Jesus in Matthew 6:25-34).

I encourage you to read me and my wife’s testimony on finances. I pray you find it encouraging and hopeful. God does really care about us.

Prayer: Father, I feel so forsaken right now. I’m struggling. I’m hurting. I feel so alone. Your promised me that you will never leave me nor forsake me. Help me to know that you are here with me now. Let me feel your presence in my heart and my mind. Let the power of the Holy Spirit flow through me to encourage me and strengthen me through these difficult times. I surrender my life, my finances and my fears to you. Jesus, I give it all to you. Help me, I pray, in your precious name. Amen.

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About Russ Pond

For most of my life, I battled crippling anxiety and panic attacks. For the longest time, I had no hope. My world was closing in all around me. Today, I am free and living a life full of peace and abundance. Freedom is real. You can be totally set free for the bondage of fear.

My book, Season of Grace shares my journey from crippling panic attacks to a life of freedom. I share many of the practical, emotional and spiritual steps I took. You can order it from Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

About

For most of my life, I battled crippling anxiety and panic attacks. For the longest time, I had no hope. My world was closing in all around me. Today, I am free and living a life full of peace and abundance. Freedom is real. You can be totally set free for the bondage of fear. [Read my story]